MLP: Online Sprite Sheet Dump

A little while ago, I got a chance to commiserate with one of you over the gradual disappearance of Desktop Ponies. Although I'm saddened that MLP:Online came to such an abrupt end, it's cloud has a silver lining: enough free pony sprites to power an army of fan games. Find them here!

To Urimas, and the rest of the MLP:Online team: thanks for your generosity. You deserve a salute from all of us here at EQG. To the rest of you: what are you waiting for? Get to work!

Ponyplace Updates

Ponyplace

While most of us are out celebrating the return of pony and weathering the storm of Gak, I was checking out a few updates to the multiplayer chat room Ponyplace. Since I last visited, the interface is brighter and cleaner, and overall the site looks like it's been given a graphical facelift. It's also started to take on a few more game-like characteristics - characters are bought with bits, and you can save your account in between visits. Can we overload the server again? That remains to be seen.

Update: MLP: Revenants of Chaos / Project Dash playable demo

MLP: Revenants of Chaos

Here we have an update on the progress of MLP: Revenants of Chaos, a promising upcoming adventure platformer clearly inspired in 16-bit era classics. In this game we take on the role of everyone's favourite technicolor flyer, Rainbow Dash, as she runs and flies around Ponyville collecting gems and fruit and avoiding dangerous oranges.

This demo features one single level, that although short shows clear effort and love by the part of the developers. The Tails-like gameplay is fluent, with nice details like slight inertia, and doesn't rush you like other examples of the genre. You can, if desired, try your best at speeding through the level, avoiding or ramming enemies, releasing them of their citric ailment; or just enjoy the scenery and carefully trot and jump around the beautiful equestrian landscape, looking for hidden paths and collectibles thrown around for 100% completion.

The game's most notable aspect is the carefully designed and well executed artistic section, with defined and well-done sprites and backgrounds. The demo shows urban, countryside and cave sections with smooth transitions between each, giving a a feeling of natural progression as the level goes by. The music manages to convey a general atmosphere of cheerful relaxation, compelling the player to spend time appreciating the Equestrian landscape, whilst not taking attention away from the action at hand.

Rainbow Dash speeding through the cave section.

The game engine handles quick movements and reactions without a delay, and manages to control large crowds of homing enemies with naturality, as well as mantain the aggresive movement of fruited birds while the released ones fly away. it isn't devoid of issues, like blue birds chasing Dash undewater, which looks kinda silly, and in my opinion the front layer of the scenario requires a smoothing/blur effect on scrolling, since otherwise the pixel-by-pixel movement puts a great strain in the eyes after playing for a while. While this wouldn't be an issue in monitors with real refreshment (people still using CRTs rejoice) on modern monitors it is quite evident.
Of course, being a demo these small issues can be overlooked without greatly affecting the experience, as we can assume they'll be fixed by the time the final release sees the light.

All in all, this game shows great promise, and will most likely become a favourite of those who enjoy fast, retro-style games.

Thanks to Redenchilada for inviting me to hop aboard this blog. I do hope this is the first of many articles to come. Signing off for the first time, Nerthos.

Servant of Discord Update/Screenshots/Recruitment Call

Remember Servant of Discord, the Zelda-like dungeon crawler that released a beta version a few months back? Development is ongoing, but they've released a raft of screenshots and put out a call for a new programmer. Check out the screenshots below the break, and, if you're interested, contact the team lead (roboiguana@gmail.com) and see how you can help with the project!

Servant of Discord Beta Demo

Play Servant of Discord Beta

Servant of Discord is a pretty little Zelda-esque game set in a forest temple - and that's the extent of the story for now. Although this beta is rough around the edges, with bumpy collision and a little lag in the online version (at least in my case) it shows a lot of promise, with nice sprite work, mechanics, and soundtrack.

Playing as Twilight, slash enemies to bits with a magic sword or fire spells at them from a distance. Locate the keys and blast your way through to the boss. Good luck!

Game: Sweet Apple Cider

Play Sweet Apple Cider

Jeez, Applejack, it's about time you took responsibility for cider season. 

Sweet Apple Cider is a ponified remake of Tapper, the classic 1983 arcade game. Playing as Applejack, the player frantically runs back and forth between three tables in a futile attempt to buck enough cider to satisfy the oncoming horde. Gameplay is simple and addictive, and while there's only one level, it should keep you gnashing your teeth for a while.

The game's pixelated charm is evident right from the title screen, which nostalgically proclaims "CREDIT 0, INSERT 2 BITS". The rest of the graphics seem homemade as well, and the game successfully pulls off the retro feel. The chiptune rendition of "Raise This Barn" playing in the background doesn't hurt. 

Overall? This is one of the best minigames I've played in a while. Go give it a try!

Raridoom Beta

Raridoom Beta Download

Ahh, Mondays. Good time for a first-person changeling smackdown? Yes. Actually, that holds for pretty much any day of the week.

Raridoom is actually a ponified mod of Chex Quest (read: Doom), with spells, hand-to-hand combat, and voice acting. Difficulty settings are a huge bonus: if it was too easy the first time around, crank the setting to Nightmare Mode and see if you can still knock corrupted Bon Bon for a loop. Posters with slogans like "The Queen is Watching You" scattered around the dungeon corridors add a touch of humor to the otherwise dreary setting. Also, make sure to select the menu option marked "Read This!" to get a hang of the controls.

The beta's still a little rough around the edges: the title screen could use a revamp, and starting certain levels on certain difficulties caused the game to spit errors. Still, if you're a Doom fan, this is a project you won't want to miss - bon appetit!